By Our Political Reporter
A former Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) UK and Northern Ireland branch, Mr. Yankuba Gbassa Kai Samba, has cautioned that any attempt to alter constitutionally defined eligibility requirements for the election of the party’s flagbearer could destabilize the party and lead to internal divisions ahead of the 2028 elections.
In a warning letter addressed to President Julius Maada Bio, Mr. Samba argued that the SLPP must uphold its constitutional provisions governing leadership selection, stressing that changing the rules at this stage could trigger legal challenges and deepen internal rifts.
He noted that only seven aspirants have so far met the required criteria, including having served as distinguished grassroots party members. According to him, the party’s constitution clearly protects its internal processes from external interference, including any attempt by the courts to impose a presidential candidate on the party.
Mr. Samba further warned that any effort to amend the constitution ahead of the flagbearer selection process could create serious instability within the party. He urged President Bio and party leadership to preserve the current constitutional framework and consider any amendments only after the 2028 multiparty elections.
Meanwhile, reacting to broader political developments, Mr. Musa Kpaka, based in Maryland, observed that Sierra Leone’s political climate has become increasingly stagnant. He said both the SLPP and the All People’s Congress (APC) appear trapped in recurring cycles of leadership disputes, internal divisions, and political manoeuvring.
According to him, these conflicts are often driven by personal interests rather than national development priorities. He further argued that political loyalty in Sierra Leone has increasingly been overshadowed by self-centered ambitions, a trend he described as deeply rooted across generations.
